Capitol quotes: February 22, 2012

“The truth contained within this United Nations program is something sinister and dark. The plan calls for government to take control of all land use and not leave any of the decisions in the hands of private property owners.” — Sen. Judy Burges, R-Sun City West, opposing the U.N.’s Rio Declaration on Environment and Development.

“The Russell Pearce recall would not have happened. They would not have been successful.” — Rep. Steve Gallardo, D-Phoenix, on a bill that would restrict the amount of money that could be raised in recall campaigns.

“This wasn’t about Russell (Pearce). This was because of the fact that we had a recall election. You had no legal framework to follow.” — Sen. Michele Reagan, R-Scottsdale, saying the recall exposed the need for reforms in laws dating back to Arizona’s statehood in 1912.

“I don’t think in Arizona we should have police departments that have 50 percent of their officers decertified and continue to serve – and we’re dealing with it and we’re going to address it.” — Rep. Michelle Ugenti, R-Scottsdale, telling a Utah lawyer who opposed her bill allowing a sheriff’s office to take over a police department where half of the officers were decertified over a 5-year period.